Man gets lengthy prison term for killing 3, wounding woman

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) — A man who killed three people and critically wounded another person in shootings at two Ohio homes last year has been sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.

James Rinehart Jr., 40, of Londonderry, recently reached a plea deal with the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office, just days before his trial was due to begin. He pleaded guilty Sept. 23 to three counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder and was sentenced on Wednesday.

Rinehart fatally shot Leann Potts, 46, and Thomas Littler, 63, who were found in their home, and also killed Potts’ brother, 50-year-old Rick Adams in the victim’s home. A woman was also found critically wounded inside Adams’ home, but she has since recovered.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shootings, which occurred in February 2019.